DJ is taking a well deserved vacation, so I’m bringing you this edition of 5 Things We’re Watching. I’m usually covering health policy in Oregon, and a number of other states. And while I know that the most important thing this week is the World Cup semi-finals (let’s go England!), we also have 5 things in Oregon health care we’re watching.

Kylie Walsh
State of Reform

1. Two reports on CCOs show progress made, needed

The Oregon Health Authority released the 2017 CCO Metrics Report, which shows the majority of CCOs made improvements on the majority of measures. Out of the 16 CCOs, 14 received 100% of their quality pool dollars, about $178 million. But the grading system has also received criticism, raising the question if the metrics benefit patients.

As OHA prepares for CCO 2.0, the Medicaid Advisory Committee released a report on how CCOs can address the social determinants of health. The report includes five main recommendations and the 10 roles CCOs can take on to address social determinants. You can read our summary here.

2. Preliminary rates decisions have smaller increases than last year

The Division of Financial Regulation has released preliminary rates for the individual and small group markets. Individual rates range from a 9.6 percent decrease to a 10.6 percent increase. Small group rates range from a 4 percent increase to a 9.4 percent increase.

Both the individual and small group market are seeing smaller average increases than last year’s final rates. Individual plans for 2018 saw an overall average increase of 5.5 percent, small group plans saw an overall average increase of 6.1 percent. For 2019, those average increases are 4.4 percent for individual and 2.5 for small group.

3. Oregon Hospital Payment Report

The Oregon Health Authority released the Oregon Hospital Payment Report for 2016 last week, which reports the median payments from commercial insurers to hospitals for common procedures. Due to the report’s formatting, comparing payments is difficult. You can find the easier to follow Data File here or browse data by procedure on the OHA site here.

Of the 111 procedures reported on statewide, 69 saw an increase in the median price from 2015 to 2016.The statewide median payment for spinal decompression surgery had the highest increase from 2015, up 31.6 percent. At 13 hospitals, 17 procedures had median price increases over 100 percent.

5. Oregon’s suicide rate above national average

A recent report by the CDC shows that the national suicide rate increased by over 25 percent from 1999 to 2016. Oregon’s suicide rate increased by 28.2 percent during that time period.

Oregon’s suicide rate has remained above the national rate since 1999. In 2016, the national average was 15.4 per 100,000. Oregon’s rate was 21.1 per 100,000. But the rate in the South Coast was more than double the rate in the Mid Valley, 29.2 compared to 11.6 per 100,000, showing wide disparity by region within the state.